Combustible Writable Incense Device and Method of Making Same

ABSTRACT

A combustible writable incense device comprises an ornate strip-like support element, at least one liquid-settable powder layer on each side of the support element for rigidifying the support element, an aromatic coating on at least part of one of the powder layers, and at least one smooth or substantially smooth strip-like outer display element which is adhered to an outer said powder layer and which is adapted for being written and/or drawn thereon. A method of forming such a combustible writable incense device is also provided.

This application claims priority to UK Patent Application No. 1205339.3 filed on Mar. 27, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a combustible writable incense device and to a method of making such a combustible writable incense device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is known from GB2470994 to provide an ornate incense device formed using a powder coated template. However, it may be the case, for example, in spiritual ceremonies, that the incense device would preferably include manually applied writing in the form of letters, symbols and/or other inscriptions. The application of a suitable display area to such an incense device is potentially problematic, since the combustion characteristics of the incense device can be adversely affected and, dependent on the application technique, undesirable chemicals or toxins, for example, from an adhesive used, could be releasable into the environment. In many cases, incense is used in relatively confined spaces, and as such this could be hazardous.

Furthermore, the display area must be of suitable size and form to enable the required writing to be applied without undue difficulty.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a combustible writable incense device comprising an ornate strip-like support element, at least one liquid-settable powder layer on each side of the support element for rigidifying the support element, an aromatic coating on at least part of one of the powder layers, and at least one smooth or substantially smooth strip-like outer display element which is adhered to an outer said powder layer and which is adapted for being written and/or drawn thereon.

The term ‘writeable’ used herein and throughout is intended to include letters, symbols and drawings and any other script which can be imparted by the application of ink, lead, graphite or any other marking device.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a combustible writable incense device, comprising the steps of: a] forming an ornate strip-like support element and a smooth or substantially smooth strip-like combustible writable outer display element; b] moistening the support layer; c] coating both sides of the support layer with at least one liquid-settable powder layer; and d] adhering the combustible writable outer display element to an outer said powder layer.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a combustible writable incense device comprising an ornate strip-like support element, at least one combustible liquid-settable powder layer on each side of the support element for rigidifying the support element, an aromatic coating on at least part of one of the powder layers, and at least one smooth or substantially smooth strip-like outer display element which is adhered to an outer said powder layer and which is adapted for being written and/or drawn thereon, the outer display element and the support element being formed of the same material.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a combustible writable incense device, in accordance with the first and third aspects of the invention and showing an outer display element;

FIG. 2 shows another side of the combustible writable incense device;

FIG. 3 is a view from an edge of the combustible writable incense device; and

FIGS. 4 to 12 show a method of forming one embodiment of a combustible writable incense device, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a combustible writable incense device 10 which comprises an ornate strip-like support element 12 (best seen in FIG. 6), a plurality of liquid-settable overlying powder layers 14 on each side of the support element 12, an aromatic coating 16, and a combustible outer display element 18.

The support element 12 is preferably a thin strip of pliantly flexible material, such as bamboo paper, rice paper, papyrus paper or wood. Any non-flammable paper or wood product may also be considered. The strip of material may be a single ply, a laminate or composite of one or more materials. The thin strip is crushable and not rigid or only semi-rigid prior to the application of the overlying powder layers 14.

The support element 12, in this case, is planar or substantially planar. However, it may be non-planar although this would make manufacture more complex, and therefore potentially expensive and more time consuming.

The support element 12 also includes a preferably flat or substantially flat lateral extent which may be uniform or substantially uniform along the longitudinal extent of the support element 12. The flat lateral extent and elongate longitudinal extent of the support element 12 forms a reasonably supportive surface area for the application of the powder layers 14 and the outer display element 18.

The powder layers 14 form a strata-type or multi-layered combustible base on each side of the support element 12. The powder layers 14 may or may not include an aromatic or fragrant material mixed therein or forming a full or partial coating thereon, but the powder layer 14 itself is preferably substantially odourless when burning. The powder layer 14 is selected so as to burn with a self-contained ember and to propagate slowly and evenly along the incense device 10.

The powdered material of the powder layer 14 may be provided by natural plant-based binders, also known as mucilaginous material, which can be derived from botanical sources. When subjected to water, a mucilage is produced forming a natural binder. The cellulose in the powder is combustible to provide the required stable ember when ignited. In this case, preferred types of powdered material would be Makko, Laha or Dar, Xiangnan pi, and/or Jigit.

It may also be feasible to use charcoal or wood powder as the combustible material, along with gum, such as Gum Arabic or Gum Tragacanth, as the binder. An oxidizer, such as sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate is incorporated to sustain even and slow burning of the incense device 10.

It is preferred that between five and twelve distinct powder layers 14 are utilised, and more preferably at least eight overlying powder layers 14 are provided on each side of the support element 12. The binding nature of the powder layers 14 not only rigidifies the support element 12 when set, but reinforces each respective powder layer 14 on which the subsequent powder layers 14 are superposed.

Preferably, the aromatic coating 16 is applied to at least part, and preferably the whole, of the outside of one of the powder layers 14 on a first side 20 of the incense device 10. The aromatic coating 16 may be one or more scented oils, herbs, fragrant wood powder, further powdered incense or powdered, particulate or chunked resin. It is feasible to combine the coating of aromatic material with the support element 12 prior to or at the time of application of the first rigidifying powder layer 14, but in this embodiment, the aromatic material is applied as a full or partial coating to the outside of the final powder layer 22 on the first side 20.

The outer display element 18 is applied to a second side 24 of the incense device 10 which is opposite the first side 20. The outer display element 18 is smooth or substantially smooth and strip-like, thereby matching or substantially matching the support element 12. Conveniently, the outer display element 18 can be formed of the same material as the support element 12.

Beneficially, by utilising the liquid-settable binding characteristics of the powder material forming the overlying layers 14, the outer display element 18 can be adhered directly thereto without the use of a further independent adhesive. This also solves the problem associated with the use of an independent adhesive and the possible release of harmful or undesirable by-products during combustion.

Although the outer display element 18 is only provided on the second side 24 of the incense device 10, a further outer display element could also be provided on the first side 20. In this case, it may be preferable to include the aromatic coating 16 with, on or adjacent to the support element 12, if this is likely to impact the adhesion of the further outer display element 18.

An additional benefit of the or each outer display element 18 is that it also effectively functions as a reinforcement element, thereby allowing larger and more intricate support element designs to be created with less risk of damage during storage and transportation. With the final powder layer 22 moistened, thereby activating the adhesive characteristics, the outer display element 18 is applied. Once cured, the outer display element 18 is rigidified by the powder layers 14, thus strengthening the entire device against imparted torsional forces.

It is also preferable that a colouring layer 26 is applied to the first side 20 of the incense device 10, and this may be via a dye and/or resin.

A final top-to-bottom depth of the combustible writable incense device 10 is preferably two millimetres or approximately that. However, the manufacturing method to be described hereinafter can be used to produce larger and/or thicker incense devices, as necessity dictates.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 12, a method of forming the above-described combustible writable incense device 10 is now described. Like references refer to parts which are the same as or identical to those described above, and therefore further detailed description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, a blank 28 of material of sufficient dimensions to be used as the support element 12 and the outer display element 18 is selected, along with a suitably ornate template design. In this case, a template bed 30 comprising a plurality of ornate template designs 32 is utilised. The blank material selected should be suitable for receiving and retaining ink or other marking, drawing or writing substance.

With the blank 28 correctly sized and folded in two and positioned on the selected template design 32, the template bed 30 is fed through the template cutter 34. See FIG. 5. In this case, the cutting of the support element 12 and the outer display element 18 is manually performed, but it can be mechanical, for example, by utilising a computer controlled laser cutter. Furthermore, should the aforementioned further outer display element be required, then simply utilising a blank which is folded twice onto itself instead of once can be considered.

As shown in FIG. 6, once the blank 28 is cut, the ornate or intricate support element 12 and corresponding outer display element 18 are removed. The support element 12 is placed on a supporting surface 36, in this case being a mesh, and a first side 38 is moistened using an atomised-liquid spray 40 which in this case is water. See FIG. 7.

With the mesh 36 supported over a suitable container 42, the first or base liquid-settable powder layer 44 is applied to the first side 38 of the moistened support element 12. The liquid of the moistened support element 12 activates the binding characteristics of the powder layer 44, and it adheres to the support element 12, solidifying once dry. See FIG. 8. A cover is placed over the support element 12 and base powder layer 44, the arrangement is inverted whereby the second side 24 of the support element 12 is accessible. The step of applying a second base powder layer to the other side of the support element 12 is performed as described with respect to the first side 38. This turning, moistening and powder application process is then repeated seven more times for each side, whereby a plurality of distinct inter-bonded and intra-bonded powder layers 14 which fully overlie the flat lateral and longitudinal extents of each side of the support element 12 is formed.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the final powder layer 46 on one side of the powder-layer encrusted support element 12 is moistened, and the preformed outer display element 18 is positioned thereon to overlie the final powder layer 46. The outer display element 18 is preferably also moistened with atomised-water spray to further activate the natural binding characteristics, so that a secure and reliable bond is achieved between the final powder layer 46 and the outer display element 18.

If the further outer display element is to be applied to the other side, then this is undertaken at this point in a similar manner as the first outer display element 18.

Following this, and as shown by way of example in FIGS. 11 and 12, the combustible writable incense device 10 is cured between two layers of vinyl or PTFE coated mesh 48 whilst being lightly weighted down via weights 50 to prevent or limit warping. Following this, the cured combustible writable incense device 10 is placed in a forced-air housing 52 to dry the device 10 ready for burning.

At a point prior to the final drying step, the first side 20 opposite the outer display element 18 can have the aromatic coating 16 partially or fully applied thereto, and then further the aforementioned colouring layer 26 as requirements dictate. The aromatic coating 16 is preferably applied via a dropper, but can be applied by dipping. However, this latter option provides greater impregnation and thus requires a longer drying time. Similar options are available for the application of the colouring layer 26.

Once fully cured and dried, writing, such as words, pictures and/or indicia, can be manually applied as required to the outer display element 18 of the combustible writable incense device 10 prior to burning.

It may also be feasible to include further structurally reinforcing layers in between the powder layers. This may be beneficial, for example, for larger combustible writable incense devices. The further reinforcing layers may be formed of the same material as the outer display element, as the same material as the support element, or of a different material as necessity dictates.

Although a forced-air drying device is suggested above, the incense device may be allowed to dry naturally for example in direct sunlight, or other drying means can be used, such as an oven.

Although it is preferable and convenient that the support element and the outer display element are formed of the same material, different materials may be utilised as necessity dictates.

It is thus possible to provide a combustible writable incense device on which a user can impart writing, drawings and/or symbols to be displayed on the device prior to burning. It is also possible to provide a combustible writable incense device whereby the outer display element forms a reinforcing element to improve the structural rigidity of the device.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A combustible writable incense device comprising an ornate strip-like support element, at least one liquid-settable powder layer on each side of the support element for rigidifying the support element, an aromatic coating on at least part of one of the powder layers, and at least one smooth or substantially smooth strip-like outer display element which is adhered to an outer said powder layer and which is adapted for being written and/or drawn thereon.
 2. A combustible writable incense device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer display element overlies the support element.
 3. A combustible writable incense device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer display element is superposed over the support element.
 4. A combustible writable incense device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer display element extends in parallel or substantially parallel with the support element.
 5. A combustible writable incense device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer display element and the support element are formed of the same material.
 6. A combustible writable incense device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer display element and/or the support element are planar or substantially planar.
 7. A combustible writable incense device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of distinct liquid-settable powder layers is supported by each side of the support element and the plurality of distinct liquid-settable powder layers supported by one side of the support element is in the range of five to twelve.
 8. A combustible writable incense device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support element is pliantly flexible prior to being rigidified by the powder layers.
 9. A combustible writable incense device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one reinforcing layer intermediate the support element and the outer powder layer.
 10. A method of forming a combustible writable incense device, comprising the steps of: a] forming an ornate strip-like support element and a smooth or substantially smooth strip-like combustible writable outer display element; b] moistening the support layer; c] coating both sides of the support layer with at least one liquid-settable powder layer; and d] adhering the combustible writable outer display element to an outer said powder layer.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in step d], the combustible writable outer display element is moistened to promote adhesion.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in step d], the said powder layer to which the combustible writable outer display element is adhered is moistened.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a step e], subsequent to step d], in which the combustible writable incense device is compressed during curing.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a step f], subsequent to or simultaneously with step e], in which the combustible writable incense device is dried in a forced-air device.
 15. A method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a step g], subsequent to step d], in which an aromatic coating is applied to a said powder layer.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a step g], subsequent to step d], in which a colouring layer is applied to an outer surface which is opposite the combustible writable outer display element.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in step a], the support element and the combustible writable outer display element are formed from a same blank of material, and the support element and the combustible writable outer display element are formed simultaneously.
 18. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in step a], the support element and the combustible writable outer display element are pliantly flexible.
 19. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein steps b] and c] are repeated a number of times to rigidify or substantially rigidify the support element.
 20. A combustible writable incense device comprising an ornate strip-like support element, at least one combustible liquid-settable powder layer on each side of the support element for rigidifying the support element, an aromatic coating on at least part of one of the powder layers, and at least one smooth or substantially smooth strip-like outer display element which is adhered to an outer said powder layer and which is adapted for being written and/or drawn thereon, the outer display element and the support element being formed of the same material. 